Safety authorities recommend that families be ready to survive up to 72 hours while waiting for help in case of major emergencies, so it's essential to make a plan and kn
Basic Emergency Kit
It's crucial that any emergency or survival kit be easily carried. It should include:
Water
Food
Manual can opener
Flashlight and batteries
Battery-powered or wind-up radio and extra batteries
First aid kit
Special needs items like prescription medications, infant formula, equipment for people with disabilities, etc.
Extra keys for the car and house
Cash in smaller bills, change for payphones and travellers' cheques
A copy of the family's emergency plan with contact names and numbers
Additional Survival Supplies
Change of clothing, footwear and sleeping bag or warm blanket for each household member
A whistle in case you need to attract attention
Garbage bags for personal sanitation
Toilet paper and other personal care supplies
Safety gloves
Basic tools like a hammer, pliers, wrench, fasteners, screw drivers, work gloves
Small fuel-driven stove and fuel
Two additional litres of water per person per day
Copies of personal documents like passports and birth certificates
Candles, matches and lighters in waterproof container
Emergency Car Kit
Food that won't spoil such as energy bars
Water in plastic bottles, should be replaced every 6 months
Blankets
Extra clothing with shoes
First aid kit with seat belt cutter
Small shovel, scraper and snow brush
Wind-up flashlight
Whistle
Road maps
Copy of emergency plan and personal documents
Emergency Supplies for your Trunk
Sand, salt or non clumping cat litter
Antifreeze and windshield washer fluid
Tow rope
Jumper cables
Fire extinguisher
Warning lights or road flares
Fire, Crime or Saving a Life
These are instances where it is appropriate to dial 9-1-1. In other situations, the number to dial is the emergency number provided in the phone book. In case of major emergencies families should follow their plans and get their emergency kits. Individuals should ensure the are safe before assisting others, listen to the television or radio for instructions and stay put unless there is an evacuation order.
Useful tips for Sheltering-in-place
Windows and exterior doors should be closed and locked.
Fans, heaters and air-conditioning systems need to be turned off to avoid drawing in air from the outside.
Fireplace dampers should be closed.
Emergency kits should always be on hand and include a working radio.
An interior room that is above ground is safest.
Cracks around doors and vents can be sealed with duct tape or other wide tape.
Radio or television can be used to monitor the situation until everything is safe or there is an order to evacuate.
Evacuations
During an evacuation order, families should bring their emergency plans and kits, a cellular phone if possible, essential medications and copies of prescriptions. If there is time an phone call or email to an out-of-town contact is a good idea. A note should be left to others with details of a reunion location and alternative shelter for pets need to be planned for since some local shelters do not accept them.
Homes can be protected by locking all windows and doors, shutting off water and electricity supplies and keeping the natural gas service on unless instructed otherwise by authorities. In case of major emergencies, it can take weeks for overwhelmed authorities to respond, leaving families without energy or heat for the home or cooking.
The copyright of the article Emergency Plans and Survival Kits in Natural Disasters is owned by Sylvie Roy. Permission to republish Emergency Plans and Survival Kits in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
